They steal your momentum

It's amazing how quickly carrying a kid on your back around the zoo can drain your energy and enthusiasm. The same is true for your vision, but the ones you piggyback don't always deserve the lift. Momentum-leeches will ride you like a vision-uber, with no interest in your goals, and will desert you when they get to their destination at your expense.

  There are few things in life that are as infectiously beautiful as a playful puppy, a baby laughing, and someone with a vision. The energy and vibrancy oozing from a new visionary is attractive, designed to draw in a capable team, enthusiastic supporters, and willing sponsors.

 Once your vision gains a little momentum, it gains the attention of those around you. Excitement, hope and structure drives you to your end picture, and attracts help and opportunities needed to turn your vision into reality. It also signals the momentum vampires to move in.

  Arriving with fanfare, energy thieves blister you with compliments on how positive and meaningful your efforts and cause seems to be. Then they subtly insult the direction in which you are headed, offering a smooth and logical alternative, coincidentally aligned with what they want. Their blinding instructions fill you with a sense of urgency, as you spend energy and use your resources to accomplish their targets.

  Without a doubt, there is nothing harder to do than to create momentum in a personal goal, a new business, or in a shiny new vision. Your interest and excitement aimed in the right direction will get the movement you need. Know this; that movement is the life force of your vision. Momentum is a precious vision commodity worth stealing, and needs to be protected at all costs. This is the leaders most important task.

 As a visionary, we document our end goal, and we write out our mission, not as a plaque to be admired as it hangs on the wall, but as a measure to judge all efforts. We stand all task and demands alongside the vision and ask "will this activity produce this reault?" If the answer is yes, do it will all your zeal, otherwise cast it aside and look for something more effective. Your vision stands as magnetic north, and like a compass needle, all efforts and expenditures should point in the right direction.

 As the visionary it is your responsibility to ensure your team reach the destination. There are many obstacles and distractions looking to slow your momentum and steal your attention. None are more subtle, more devious, as fatal as the piggyback you give to a momentum vampire. Be warned...